TO BRIDGE THE TASMAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 27, 2 February 1932, Page 4

TO BRIDGE THE TASMAN.

SOUTHERN STEAM SHIP VENTURE. BOOSTING SOUTH ISLAND. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") DUNEDIN, this day. Already sufficient support has been assured the directors of the Southern Pacific Steam Ship Company to warrant their proceeding to allotment of shares. Ihe public, however, is to be given an opportunity of supporting the company formed for the purpose of "boosting" the South Island by regular and frequent communication with Sydney and Melbourne. As in the South Island considerable resentment has been expressed in Melbourne at the past insufficient services, and a large number of New Zealand and Australian merchants have assured the company of their support. That statement is confirmed by a letter from the managing director of a big Australian shipping and merchant firm. Dunedin interest are to the forefront in the launching of the new company, which will have a capital of £250,000. The company's headquarters will be in Dunedin and offices have already been acquired. Apart from the trade which the com-1 pany's advent will create, employment will also be given to many Now Zealanders in manning ships and with engagements of on shore stall's. The two steamers selected are of 7500 tons each and are most modern, having been constructed four years ago for the English South Atlantic run. They will carry 250 first-class and 150 secondclass passengers. The proposal is to run both steamers from Dunedin, one going via Lyttelton and Wellington to Sydney and return, and the other ship .travelling via the Bluff to Me - bourne and return. This arrangement will allow of both routes being worked regularly every fortnight. The ships will remain in Australian ports only long enough to load and discharge cargo and to takeln bunker oil. Both ships are of composite type, that is, .they are either oil or coal burners. It is quite on the cards that coal will be used so as to assist jmning in Australia-and New Zealand.